SPRING 2020
MIDLAND’s MARK WYSTRACH ON HIS RANCHING ROOTS
PLUS... SOUTHWEST BULL TEST RESTORING SOIL BIOLOGY THE DUKE IN STANFIELD
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Renée Bidegain, Creative info@westernaglife.com Madison Ramirez, Subscriptions info@westernaglife.com SPECIAL THANKS TO THESE 2020 SPRING ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS ARTICLES
Paul Ramirez Ashtyn Carr Joel Johnson Patina Thompson Sierra Lewis Aaron Downey Kate Sanchez Dean Fish, Ph.D. Amber Morin Renée Bidegain Beau Compton Tiffany Selchow Rochell Planty Patrick Bray Jason Hershberger Mackenzie Kimbro Robert Mucci Liz Peterson Ted Harbin Joey W. Niebrugge Jim Olson PHOTOGRAPHY
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WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, THE TOUGH GET GOING I have heard that saying as a cliché most of my life. However, now we are about to become witnesses to that saying. We all know our world was different after 911 and it will be forever changed with Covid-19. A couple days after 9-11 we knew who our enemy was. Now months after the introduction of Covid-19 this enemy is hidden in the unknowns of a virus. Consequently, making it very difficult to plan a defense and an even longer trajectory to an offense. Let us hope and pray that a cure is found quickly! I am not sure anyone could have predicted the instability that something like this could bring to the world. America will certainly be playing economic catch up for years to come. The dichotomy of bad is good and I believe there is going to be some good that will come from these challenging times. I am hoping America will learn a lesson and want to start controlling and producing more of the essential products that this country is dependent upon such as food, fuel, pharmaceutical, biologicals, and intellectual properties.
We also have a new commonly used term “essential workers”. Most everyone in agriculture falls under the “essential workers” category. We as Americans owe a great deal of gratitude to all the essential workers. Environmentalists have now been a witness to a case study that they never could have conducted themselves. The environment has dramatically improved all over the world in the last couple months yet, we have maintained the same agriculture animal population. Hopefully, they will remove farm animals from the hypothesis going forward. They can no longer reasonably blame the CO2 on the MOO! I will end by saying goodbye to Judy Burruel of Marana, AZ. Judy was a champion for all thing’s agriculture. She tirelessly gave to so many youth agriculture associations for most of her life. Judy’s legacy is well secured with her family and friends. “Well done good and faithful servant” Matt 25:23
IN THIS ISSUE FARMING :: WEST TEXAS WINE......................................................................................................4 RESTORING SOIL BIOLOGY :: JOEL JOHNSON.......................................................................8 THE MYSTERY OF MARES :: PATINA THOMPSON................................................................ 10 WESTERN READS :: AARON DOWNEY....................................................................................... 14 THE LIFE OF A RANCH WIFE :: BE WHERE YOUR FEET ARE............................................ 16 FEATURE ARTICLE :: MIDLAND’S MARK WYSTRACH......................................................... 18 TOOLS OF THE TRADE:: SOUTHWEST BULL TEST ............................................................. 20
I LIVE THE WESTERN LIFESTYLE :: BEAU COMPTON........................................................ 26 PRODUCER HIGHLIGHT:: KILLIAN BEEF................................................................................ 28 YOUTH :: FFA BLUE & GOLD HIGHLIGHTS.............................................................................32 IN THE KITCHEN :: MACKENZIE KIMBRO............................................................................. 38 CONSERVATION:: ARIZONA LAND & WATER TRUST........................................................ 40 REAL ESTATE FEATURE:: THE DUKE .......................................................................................... 43
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FARMING: WEST
TEXAS WINE, PREMIUM VITICULTURE IN THE HIGH PLAINS “I think we’re a little hidden gem and you know there’s over 800 wineries now in Texas and we’ve become a force to be reckoned with,” - Leslie Sukin BY ASHTYN CARR PHOTOS BY LLANO ESTACADO
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est Texas is notorious for its unmatched, unique climate. The clear skies are broken up by towering windmills. The dry air is sprinkled with red dirt. The flat fields are dotted with white cotton plants. Lubbock comfortably fits this mold. However, emerging from beneath the red dirt is a hidden gem that breaks West Texas out of mundane stereotype. Established in 1976, Llano Estacado was cultivated by Texas Tech professors Clinton McPherson and Bob Reed. What started as a research experiment blossomed into the largest premium winery in Texas. This successful West Texas treasure is now one of over 800 wineries in the state. The winery got its name from the land it sits on. The Llano Estacado, translated from Spanish to Staked Plains, is a region of flatlands reaching from eastern New Mexico to northwest Texas. Because of the unique climate, grade production is different for Llano Estacado than wineries in wine country in California or Washington. Greg Bruni, Vice President Executive Winemaker at Llano, knew the challenges he would be facing when he made the move to Texas in 1993. Despite the difficulties Bruni, a former California head winemaker, saw the potential for high quality Texas wine. “I kind of felt like I was part of a pioneering move towards premium Texas wine,” Bruni said. Bruni remembers the first challenge he went through at the winery. During his transition to Llano, the area was going through a drought. The weather conditions were more extreme than those he was used to. On top of that, grape production in the High Plains was unlike the production he had experience with. “One thing that kind of caught me off guard were the extreme conditions…,” Bruni said. “We knew the quality was there, but we just didn’t have the consistent production year over year.” The grapes that go into making Llano Estacado wine aren’t grown at on location. Though their is a vineyard on property, there hasn’t been a harvest from those vines. But you’re still drinking West Texas wine! The winery ships in grapes from growers throughout the Panhandle. Contracting during the spring season, Llano’s Winemaker Jason Centanni and other Llano employees keep in contact with growers while the grapes are coming to fruition. In fact, they even pay visits to the vineyards until harvest. “We actually go out there, boots on the ground, and walk PG. 4 :: SPRING 2020
around,” Centanni said. “You know, make suggestions or decisions to find the best possible way to ripen or mature those grapes based on the type of wine we want to make first.” After harvesting, grapes go into the wine making process. Though Llano has a fairly traditional winemaking process, Centanni says the winery mixes in post modern techniques during the fermentation process or immediately after. The main post modern technique they use is called micro-oxygenation. Centanni explained that this process is typically used on Llano’s red wines. Micro-oxygenation is the method of adding
Winemaker, Jason Centanni
certain amounts of pure oxygen to wine in order to produce a mature wine at a young age. According to Centanni, if used incorrectly, micro-oxygenation can wreck your wine. Which is why many wineries don’t practice it. “That’s what differentiates us from a lot of wineries in Texas,” Centanni said. “I would say most wineries, if not all of them besides us, do not use that process.” To taste some of Llano’s wine, you can visit their tasting room, find a vendor near you, buy online (some states excluded), or join their wine club! Wine club has two options, mixed wine
membership or red wine membership. With different packages available, customers can cater their wine club baskets to fit their tastes. As one of the oldest wineries in Texas, Llano has proved themselves to be a premium producer. They were first awarded for their high quality wine at the 1981 State Fair of Texas. At the 1986 San Francisco Fair Exposition and Wine Competition, Llano simultaneously received their first double gold award and first international wine award. They haven’t stopped collecting awards since. WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 5
“I think we’re a little hidden gem and you know, there’s over 800 wineries now in Texas and we’ve become a force to be reckoned with,” Leslie Sukin, Tasting Room Manager, said. Aside from producing top tier wines, the winery plays an active role in community involvement. From Saturday farmers market trips to sip and shops at boutiques, Llano connects with community members, recruits new customers, and establishes relationships with fellow business owners. The winery also hosts its own events to bring in locals, including Wine Down Wednesday. On a weekly basis, Llano hosts Wine Down Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. to get over PG. 6 :: SPRING 2020
those midweek blues with a glass of wine and good company. One of the biggest events on Llano’s calendar is the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce’s Uncorked. The annual festival hosts wineries from across the state, celebrating Texas winemaking and grape growing. At Uncorked, ticket holders are able to sip on wine, listen to live music, and attend educational classes. Llano Estacado is a leader among Texas vineyards, being the bestselling premium wineries in the state. It has grown a brand that holds its own in the viticultural world, as well as among the Lubbock community. Llano continues to produce 170,000
cases of wine annually, while tackling every day challenges. “If you think you know what our brand is based on what you see throughout the rest of the state, come see Leslie in the tasting room,” Centanni said. “So if you want a real surprise and see what else Llano Estacado has and what we do, come visit us. Be ready to have your mind blown.” For more information about Llano Estacado, please visit www.llanowine.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ashtyn Carr grew up raising and exhibiting swine and cattle. Now a senior at Texas Tech University, she is majoring in agricultural communications with a minor in animal science. Ashtyn is a first generation Red Raider and West Texas resident. She loves writing about West Texas culture, hot spots, and events. When she isn’t studying, writing, or taking pictures, she’s spending time in the barn with her family. WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 7
RESTORING SOIL BIOLOGY: THE JOHNSON-SU BIOREACTOR YIELDS KOMBUCHA FOR SOIL
“What we humans must always keep in mind as we go about making sure there is enough food to go around is that this body of material we call manure, or compost, is neither factory machine nor barren waste, but a lovely, intertwining jungle flock of living things to be fed and managed lovingly, much like we manage the other livestock on our farms. Our most important livestock, in fact, are invisible to the naked eye.” —Gene Logsdon BY JOEL JOHNSON
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f your hometown is anything like mine, it has been swept up in the recent kombucha craze. The simple fermented beverage, now on tap in corner stores, coffee houses and breweries, offers a number of benefits, the most widely touted of which is jumpstarting the gut microbiome by introducing beneficial bacteria. While kombucha’s rise may be in part a pop culture fad, it is also a response to the reality that the American stomach is in crisis. Studies like the Immigrant Microbiome Project have confirmed that individual gut microbiomes lose diversity almost immediately upon arrival in the United States. “[The] modern lifestyle in the U.S. may be causing each generation to lose more of their ancestral microbes… [and] The obvious explanation for all of these changes is diet,” University of Minnesota scientists Dan Knights and Pajau Vangay wrote for The Conversation. In short, a homogenized food system translates to a more homogenized gut microbiome, which may have negative effects on immune system strength and correlate to susceptibility to a myriad of diseases, including obesity. Amazingly, a nearly identical process has been occurring in the soil beneath our feet. The soil food web contains billions of bacteria, fungi, and microorganisms that process nutrients into plant available forms (among many other functions). But decades of plowing, synthetic fertilizer applications, and homogenized monoculture plantings have weakened the microbial community that ultimately sustains agriculture, resulting in compromised soil immunity and weakened crops. “It’s just like us,” Dr. David Johnson of New Mexico State University’s Institute for Sustainable Agriculture Research PG. 8 :: SPRING 2020
explained at the Soil Carbon Trading Roadshow, “If our stomach is out of order, we’re a mess. We’re not functional. We take this for granted much of the time, but when it’s out of order, we’re on our knees. And I think soils are not much different.” To restore the functionality of soil microbial communities, Johnson and a team of other collaborators, including his wife Hui-Chun Su, have been reimagining compost. It all started when David was tasked with determining a method of composting dairy manure that would decrease its salinity. While he employed traditional methods of windrow composting, day after day he came home in compost-stained clothing. Hui-Chun decided there must be a way to compost that achieved better results, and required less laundry. Together, they developed one. The Johnson-Su bioreactor is essentially a wire cylinder interspersed with piping, centered on a wood pallet base. The piping allows oxygen to penetrate every square inch of the compost—rather than only the top foot—without turning it at all. This makes the composting process aerobic (read: less smelly and more effective) without disturbing the fungal communities that populate the pile. Those fungi turn out to be key to the desalinizing. They excrete oxalic acid, which can bind to metal ions
like sodium, tying up salts and reducing the salinity—a must for dairy manures and desert soils. And all of this can be started with a half-day of labor and between $4085 of material. The next step, however, requires a little more patience. Letting the compost sit for a full year in the reactor results in a clay-like substance, demonstrating that the organic material has been broken into its most basic elements and the fungi and microbes are ready to reproduce. The resulting compost is like kombucha for the soil—a microbiological inoculant for crop fields, pastures, and gardens. Mixed with water, the compost can be used as a foliar crop spray, or a slurry of milk, molasses, and compost can be used to inoculate seeds. It also makes a rich compost for amending soil or using as a direct planting medium. Pat DeSimio, co-founder of Cruces Creatives makerspace and the MESA Project (Meetings for Sustainable Agriculture), has worked with Dr. Johnson since 2013. He has helped facilitate bioreactor workshops, as well as working on technical manual and training materials to accompany the bioreactor. “One of the really great things about the system is that it [yields] amazing results for soil health and plant health by cultivating the microbial communities, and it is relatively low-effort to implement,” DeSimio says. In trials of the compost as an inoculant, “I observed a doubling in crop productivity over the average yields in this county for both cotton and chile,” Dr. Johnson adds. Julie Shedko, of Lettuce Grow Farms and Educational Center in Taos, NM, attended a bioreactor building workshop with Dr. Johnson in 2017. The following Earth Day, she hosted a community workshop to build a reactor and place it in a greenhouse she managed. “We watered it one minute a day, and then we opened it
back up Earth Day the next year,” Shedko says. “We were pleasantly surprised, it was beautiful. It was the same looking soil as the doctor had brought, [so] we felt like it was very successful.” Shedko used the compost to amend some of her growing beds and raised a tobacco plant that grew to seven feet tall—roughly seven times the growth she achieved at other sites. Rachael Ryan, a Ph.D. candidate in biology at NMSU, has also experimented with it in hemp production. “Hemp plants that she treated with the compost from the bioreactors increased their dry seed yield, from about 1-1.5 pounds per plant, to about 4-5 pounds per plant,” Pat Desimio reports. These yields inspired DeSimio and Ryan to pursue additional grant funding for larger, more rigorous experiments. A big part of Pat’s role in the bioreactor project has been developing opportunities for communication between those who are putting the reactor to work in agricultural fields. “We [have been] able to put together a network of farmers and ranchers for peer-to-peer knowledge sharing about how to implement regenerative sustainable agricultural practices under local conditions,” he says. “There are certain principles that are universal, but the really tricky part is figuring out how to get the general principles to work in the local environment. So cover crops are good, for instance, but what specific cover crops work best in your soils and the microclimate of your area?” These gatherings are also an opportunity to educate about how to keep microbes thriving once they are introduced to fields, gardens, and orchards. If soils are devoid of living plant roots, disturbed by tillage, or covered in high applications of synthetic chemicals, pesticides, and herbicides, the beneficial soil microbes, which need to establish symbiotic relationships with living plant roots, will die. This means restoring soil biology requires more than a one-time application of inoculant. It requires a fundamental change in agricultural practice. “There’s a bit of a leap of faith in transitioning from a synthetic system, which is completely known—you know what you’re putting in, you know what you’re going to get out, even if it’s suboptimal—compared to a system
©David Johnson
that can increase profits and increase sustainability, especially by minimizing input needs, but that you might not have seen work on your farm; you might not have seen work on your neighbor’s farms or ranches,” DeSimio acknowledges. Knowledge-sharing gatherings are an effort to address that “Leap of Faith” barrier by showing agrarians real world results from their own regions. “People can try [bioreactor compost] out on a small plot and their neighbors, their partners, their collaborators can see the results and go, ‘Oh, ok. It worked. I can do it too,’” Pat explains. “We’ve got a whole lot of people who have individual puzzle pieces of how to make our agricultural system more sustainable and more profitable at the same time, and if we can bring those people together, the results get really exciting.” While everyone involved in the bioreactor project recognizes the need for further development and experimentation, those willing to make the leap have seen soil microbes yield healthier plants, increased water holding capacity and drought resilience, and healthier animals.
“Water is an issue [in maintaining the microbial communities in arid climates], but this process has the potential to address that problem as well,” says Dr. Johnson. “It seems that we have degraded soil everywhere and this methodology does appear to work in them all, especially since it does work here in the southwest. Some soils may have other issues like certain micronutrients not in the soil parent material, but for the most part there are sufficient resources, just not the microbes to assist in the extraction.” Using a Johnson-Su bioreactor to introduce those microbes—and by extension, extract those available plant nutrients—can lead to dramatic increases in plant health and crop yields. In Johnson’s words, “There’s too many pluses on this not to try it.” Note: Technical manuals and training videos on bioreactor construction are available on the CSU-Chico website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Joel Johnson is the Seed Production Technician at Native Seeds/SEARCH”. His work and writing can be viewed at NarrativesofPlace.com. WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 9
PG. 10 :: SPRING 2020
THE MYSTERY OF MARES
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ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY PATINA THOMPSON
ore often than not when you talk to horse people, you’ll hear them say, “my best horse was a mare”. My own experiences with mares are limited. I’ve always heard they are moody and temperamental, that they mess up the dynamics when you bring them to a branding. On the other hand, there are some cowboys and cowgirls that will only ride mares because of their tenacity. I do know it was a mare who bucked my mom off when I was young, and the only other mares I’ve liked were broodmares. My husband has had mares and you can say he agrees they are unique in their own ways and a force to be reckoned with. I would say that applies to the human species as well. You can imagine my hesitation when I got a call from a friend in November 2018 and she said she wanted to give us a filly. “A filly? JJ, you know I don’t like mares!”. The idea of a free horse is awesome, but I sure as heck didn’t know how to start a colt and didn’t know if we even had the time to do it! I know that it can go wrong fast if a colt is not started right. When the fuzzy Appendix bay came out of the trailer, so small and so very curious and sweet, we immediately fell in love. Our little Holly O’Hara. She needed time to grow, so I bugged friends with questions, researched online, worked on ground manners, loading, brushing and overall handling, and little by little we both matured and grew. She quickly found her place as the alpha in our herd of geldings. I got used to the little squeals heard more often out of her pen, and how to tie her correctly because I’ve also found her to be quite mischievous. A friend’s son put some time into her, and this Fall she was old enough (3 years) and big enough to go off to “high school” for 60 rides. Mike and Crystal Magoffin out of Willcox did an incredible job with her, and she came home just after Christmas.
We had some calves to gather, so the first weekend in January, we took her to the ranch. She didn’t take a bad step! Through water, over obstacles, through some tight rockpiles (that made me tense up), and she pushed cows like an old pro. We rode about 14 miles and she was as steady as they come. She dropped her head and knew she had a job to do. I really couldn’t believe it, given it was all new territory to her. Now I don’t want to discount the incredible geldings in the world, but mares just seem to have that extra “it” factor. They seem to have more drive, more heart, and a born confidence about them. They will give you their all and then some. Perhaps it’s because mares are typically the leaders of the herd and survival is something they don’t take lightly. Whatever you attribute it to, mares are special creatures that I believe to be less complicated than they seem. Respect them and they’ll respect you. Isn’t that what we all strive for? They say mares pick you, and I hope she’s happy she’s mine. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Contributor Patina Thompson earned a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife, Watershed and Rangeland Resources from the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz. She works in the agriculture insurance field. She is a wife, mother, rancher, hunter, photographer and conservationist in southeastern Arizona.
WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 11
IT TAKES TWO TO MAKE CALF ROPING GREAT AGAIN IN 2020 ARTICLE BY SIERRA LEWIS
First it takes the Calf Roper, but in todays world we are told we should call him a Tiedown Roper, the one we are talking about now is Brent Lewis 12 x NFR qualifying PRCA Cowboy, Tiedown Roper and Steer Roper. We’re going to stick with the title of “Calf Roper” though because deep down in his core that is who he is, and who he will always be. He has the name, the reputation and successful career to back it all up. In 1991 when he came in as Resistols rookie of the year though they were still calling it Calf Roping, they also were still calling it Calf Roping when he took his final bow at the Thomas & Mack in 2003, an end to a career many will say was much too soon. He’d never admit it out loud but I can tell you there is still a look in his eye that silently agrees as it see’s all the great horses, buckles and white lines of the road pass through his memories. I can also tell you there was no way he was going out defeated, he walked away on top of his game, one of the best there was. How do I know all of this? How do I know him so well? The fans call him Brent Lewis, the cowboys of past & present call him BL, but I call him Dad. Jump forward 17 years later and I am the second one in this pair. I am an Agricultural Media & Communications major in PG. 12 :: SPRING 2020
my final senior moments at West Texas A&M University. When I asked Dad what he wanted me to write about when we were asked to be in this magazine together he wanted me to tell you all about what I do for him. When I say I help the family business out I can not roll my eyes and act like it’s a terrible little day job working for Dad like some might. Running Dad’s social media pages has only provided me with opportunity after opportunity. I get so many compliments on his social media pages. What started as just a place I created, which was first the Facebook page which now sits with 10, 460 likes and 10,897 follows, to help Mom get Dad’s sale horses out there has turned into a go to for all of his clinic information, a merchandise line including tee’s and caps, through our amazing partners at Rodeo Monogram shop, a live Q&A show, and a day of the week #TiedownTuesday where we post Dad’s runs, pictures and followers submissions of their own runs on our Instagram that currently sits at 14.5k followers. Make Calf Roping Great Again, #TiedownTuesday, & our newest design The Real Deal, were all ideas of mine. They were drawn out by our friend, well he is more like family, Homer Sanders, who I came to with my design ideas. I saw that
there was a huge need for young Calf Ropers and fans to have somewhere to go something to see, what we call “content” in the social media business. Then when I was working for KC Jones who owns Pro Fantasy Rodeo, Rodeo Vegas, and Reachoutwest we had Dad do a live for his fantasy team picks, it took a lot of begging but it happened. In my mind though as I watched the comments come in and hear about the calls and texts Dad received it not only happened but it worked. Something was working, my “I want it all” mind set….wonder who I got that from? Saw it as a new business opportunity, something to add to his ever growing social media presence, so I decided we would take questions because at the time our inboxes were overflowing with them. I would go through and pick the ones that I felt Dad would like best, and from there he would pick which ones he wanted to answer on the live show. It worked again. Soon we had a sponsor, then next thing I knew we were doing them with an audience in the summer at the Equibrand booth, home of Rattler Dad’s oldest and dearest sponsor, for the Texas Junior High Finals, and then the National High School Finals. They were hungry for answers to the sport he was an icon of. As long as I can remember Dad has had guys around the house learning from him. Why do they want to hear him talk so much about rodeo? What makes him know so much? I’d make fun of the guys (something I am known to do) for wanting to ask him 1,000 questions. This year at the NFR I was down in the media room, working for Team Hesston. Rodeo Video the producer of Dad’s instructional DVD approached me and long story short right there on hallowed grounds where I watched my Dads career flourish, I did my first interview with the round winners of that night, I had about 10 minutes to prep. In my mind this was MY first time backing in that box at the Thomas & Mack. I needed the advice of a rodeo expert, someone who knew the sport, the horses, the setup so…..I called Dad. This time I was the one with 1,000 questions. I always said I would grow up and be as far away from Calf Roping as possible. Now my wish is to see it grow and be here long enough for my little brother to back into the box under the bright lights of Vegas where I watched Dad and Grumpy, a horse that gave me a big soft spot for the sport, bring crowds to their feet. It was magical, it was GREAT, and it was the sport they called Calf Roping and it gave us everything, so we are just returning the favor. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: My name is Sierra Lewis! I am a Senior at West Texas A&M graduating with a degree in Agricultural Media & Communications, this summer. I run a western fashion blog called “Hi Sierra”, and I run a social media business that specializes in creating content for western brands, public figures, & businesses called “Computer Cowgirl.” I also freelance from time to time, doing lifestyle pieces, western sports coverage & of course fashion! WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 13
WESTERN READS
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BY AARON DOWNEY
et’s just say that for whatever reason you are holed up and hiding out from society. You can only watch so much Netflix, right? Maybe it’s the perfect time to lose yourself in a new book! You might want to start with Two Desperado: Stories by Susan Lowell, recent winner of the George Garrett Fiction Prize. This eclectic yet rooted collection will take you to familiar places you’ve never been, with favorite characters you’ve never met. Did you know that the legendary pony express lasted less than two years? West Like Lightning: The Brief, Legendary Ride of the Pony Express by Jim DeFelice picks up in serious detail where most schooling and legends leave off. The history of the American West doesn’t get much better treatment than this book gives to one of our most compelling and fearless experiments. Marta McDowell writes about authors and their gardens. Her latest book, The World of Laura Ingalls Wilder: The Frontier Landscapes that Inspired the Little House Books, is a wonderful complement to Wilder’s canon. McDowell’s elaborations on those “tales of family and farms and nature” will please anyone who grew up (as I did) watching Little House on the Prairie. Speaking of nature, I found some caterpillars in the yard the other day, and it reminded me of The Very Impatient Caterpillar by Ross Burach. This book is a big, hysterical bait-and-switch. It promises to teach kids about metamorphosis, but it also cleverly sneaks in some knowledge about the one thing all kids can use: a little patience. For the younger cowpokes, get them up to speed on their terminology with the brilliant board book, Cowboy. The book is actually a cutout shape of a kid cowboy, with cute illustrations and text. You might appreciate that the “boards” of the book are made of foam, making it much lighter and easier to hold than a traditional board book. To borrow and distort a phrase from Thomas Paine, “These are the times that try men’s souls.” Please be patient with one another, share your hand sanitizer, and find some solace in the magic of literature. Aaron Downey is the Managing Editor of Rio Nuevo Publishers, a division of Treasure Chest Books. Visit www.rionuevo.com
Treasure Chest BOOKS
PG. 14 :: SPRING 2020
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WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 15
THE LIFE OF A RANCH WIFE: BE WHERE YOUR FEET ARE
So much is different since the last time I was “here”. A new year for us brought more change than we’d experienced in a very long time. With the arrival of new opportunities in a wonderful job for my husband also came a move to another house in another state. ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY KATE SANCHEZ
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or the first time in over ten years, we were experiencing a lifestyle outside that of a ranch. As with most new opportunities came fear of the unknown and yet excitement and eagerness to see what would lie before us. No longer does my husband leave at 3am, horse in tow, for spring works. For the first time in a long time, our boots don’t see quite as much use as they once did, but make no mistake, while this is a time where our lives are quite different, it’s serving us. Every day, it’s helping us shape a better future and opening up doors that we never knew were possible. As with so many major life fluctuations, it’s easy to recognize all of the changes, both small and drastic, that hit at one time. You miss certain things you once took for granted, you praise the people who were part of your journey, yet learn to embrace the excitement in your heart for what a new lifestyle is and how it’s exactly what you may need in that particular moment. I’d say one of the toughest parts of leaving a ranch job is that it’s more than a job, it becomes an entire lifestyle, something that has consumed you for many years and has PG. 16 :: SPRING 2020
earned a huge place in your heart and that of your family’s. But on the other hand, making a change has also been one of the best choices for us. We learned, achieved, and helped build so much in our years on various ranches, all things we will take with us. Now, we’ve stepped out into a world of unknown compared to that of the day-to-day cowboy grind. Are there times when I miss it? Yes. But more than anything, I absolutely know our time spent in those places was the right steppingstone at those exact instances of our lives. They were where we were meant to be in those particular moments. One thing I’ve learned to embrace during our periods of adjustment, and would urge others to do the same, is simply to be present in your current situation. With change and a shift in certain mindsets, people often do a “180” and turn away from dreams they once chased or goals they were working to achieve. In the wake of a new opportunity, that’s really the last thing you should do, and yet, it happens all that time. But what if instead, you shifted gears? Shifted your entire mindset? What if you searched your heart and found that your purpose is already in front of you? What if the exact things you’re meant to breathe life into, are remarkably already part of what you thought was just day to day monotony? Sometimes, abrupt changes in plans don’t require abundant action, but instead just need us to respond with a full heart and driven attitude. Sometimes life throws you a curveball and sometimes you’re called to step out in faith, into the unknown, because that’s what your heart is telling you to do. Either way, being present in the journey will often times be one of the most fulfilling things you can do for yourself and those around you. Our thoughts, especially in some of these most trying times we’ve ever faced as a country, need a momentum shift. My
goal is to bend my life toward what is suddenly- or long present- at my feet, and work to see the great opportunity that lives where I do. I want to be able to take what we’ve learned and shape it into our future and what is undoubtedly one of the most exciting times of my family’s life. My mindset is now going to change from “what was”, to “this is where I am and these are now my plans”. I will be grateful. I will be content. I will be joyful. All because my feet are where they are for a very specific reason. I’d encourage everyone today: be where your feet are…after all, no matter the place you are in life, the boots still fit the same. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kate Sanchez is a freelance writer based out of Ruidoso, NM. She and her husband have worked on various ranches across OK and west Texas. They have one horse-loving daughter, who is two. Kate graduated from Eastern NM University in 2009 with a degree in Journalism and minor in Agriculture. She currently writes for a few different publications and enjoys training and showing horses.
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• In business since 2005. • Aquamate poly lined potable metal tanks with 20 year no leak warranty. • Standard sizes 5K, 12K, 28K, 50K, 77K, others up to 200,000 gallons. 20mil polyethylene liner. • AZ ROC # 311491 Bonded, licensed, insured. Certified Aquamate tank installer. • Large anti-vortex fittings available up to 18in. • Distributor for Enduraplas plastic tanks- best poly tank available today. • Over 1.5 million gallons storage provided to Southern Arizona customers. • Rain Water Harvesting specialist trained with ARCSA.
Download and listen to The podcast with your business in mind. As agribusinesses face hardships, successes and emerging opportunities, hear from leaders in the agriculture industry taking on challenges and providing you with solutions. Available on Apple itunes. https://agribusinessconversations.podbean.com WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 17
midland’s mark wystrach ON HIS RANCHING ROOTS
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ark Wystrach, lead singer for the wildly popular band Midland, is flying high! His band is currently the hottest thing going in the country music world and our little part of the world couldn’t be prouder. While Mark may seem like an overnight success since “Drinkin’ Problem” debuted, the road has been long and tough to get here. In fact, he owes his deep roots in agriculture, ranching and 4-H for the tenacity to “keep on keeping on”. Mark grew up in cattle country near the town of Sonoita, Arizona in southern Arizona. His parents own the Mountain View Hereford Ranch as well as The Steak Out Restaurant. Since 1980, if someone wants either a great Hereford bull or a mouthwatering Kansas City Strip steak, the Wystrach family can provide it. One of six children of Grace and Mike Wystrach, Mark grew up on the ranch and in the steakhouse. When asked about how this
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background led Mark to his current success, he is very effusive in praise for his upbringing. In fact, when Midland opened the world-famous Houston Livestock Show this spring, Mark and his bandmates spent some time out on the stock show floor. It was easy to see Mark return to his roots and talk about the good Hereford cattle being exhibited and interact with those young people. Mark talks about his childhood on the ranch with appreciation for the beauty and simplicity of the lifestyle. He talks about feeding calves before heading off to school and the hard work it takes to make a family ranch successful. While acknowledging the tough nature of the people it takes to be successful in agriculture, he also states that it isn’t work when you enjoy what you are doing. This background also helped to create a deep appreciation for nature and the land. Continued on page 42...
o n CT h e W y s hris tra tma ch t s Mo wins rnin g WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 19
TOOLS OF THE TRADE: SOUTHWEST BULL TEST & HEIFER DEVELOPMENT CENTER
The Southwest Bull Test and Heifer Development Center in Safford, Arizona opened its gates to local cow-calf operations, seed stock producers, and the public for a grand opening in December 2019. ARTICLE BY AMBER MORIN PHOTOS BY PAUL RAMIREZ
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att Herrington, the visionary behind the Center, grew up in Graham County and earned his degrees from BYU-Idaho and New Mexico State University before returning home to put his education to work. Matt is the owner of Herrington Cattle LLC, a business dedicated to providing a wide range of services all aimed at helping beef producers thrive. The Center is a forward-thinking bovine feed efficiency business open to producers in the Southwest. It is dedicated to improving cattle in Arizona and New Mexico by bringing bulls to Safford, Arizona for a 120-day period to measure feed intake in real-time, followed by a 60-day period for heifers. Cattle on test are fed free choice in smart feeders. The feed ration is high fiber with very low grain content. Cattle fed this way will have improved feed adaptation to desert ranches. Using mechanized feeders with weigh scales and Wi-Fi and cellular connection capabilities, called SmartFeed systems, the Center can easily measure total daily feed intake from each individual and accurately measure animal efficiency. Each animal is tagged with an RFID (radio frequency identification) tag allowing the SmartFeed system to measure feed intake per visit per animal. Southwest ranches often have sparse browse and seasonal grasses, so identifying feed efficient cattle is an important factor for beef producers. Matt has established a unique facility
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here in Arizona capable of improving herd genetics, furthering business operations and bottom lines, and providing data for smaller seed stock producers and commercial beef producers. “We are excited to provide a public testing and development center to producers of all sizes. The information we collect is critical for the improvement of our industry.” Overall, however, Matt’s vision for Southwest beef doesn’t stop there. He is working on enhancing the overall reputation of Arizona beef by establishing Copper Star Beef. Copper Star Beef is a voluntary quality standards program focused on genetics for efficiency and marbling, optimal livestock health with select vaccinations at key life stages, and low stress management coupled with Beef Quality Assurance practices. Matt envisions a label for Arizona beef that helps consumers identity and select a local product that all Arizonian’s can be proud of. “We live in a state that can consume all of the beef we can produce here. The demand for a quality local product is here, it’s just a matter of working together at each step of the production chain and logistically putting it all together.” He is already producing Copper Star Beef Jerky and other cuts are on their way. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Amber Morin, Southeastern Arizona rancher, writer, and podcaster (see pg. 17 for advertisement).
WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 21
GRAND CHAMPION MARKET GOAT TARA HUMMEL – CABERY, IL GRAND CHAMPION MARKET STEER HAILEE SIMS – YUMA, AZ BANNER WINNERS SPONSORED BY JUAREZ LIVESTOCK.
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GRAND CHAMPION MARKET LAMB BRANTLEE COX – GLENCOE, OK GRAND CHAMPION MARKET HOG ALEXIS HERNANDEZ – COLUSA, CA
RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION LAMB NICOLE ZUBER – MARENGO, IA RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION HOG PAYTON RODGERS – SAVANAH, MO
WESTERN STYLE GUIDE: SPRING 2020, LIVING WITH FRINGE
Moriah Jacobs, owner - designer - maker of MJ Leather Designs grew up in Litchfield Park which is an agriculture community just outside of Phoenix, Arizona. PHOTOGRAPHS BY EMILY COX
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eing stuck at home in spring of 2020 means many of us are sporting athleisure, sweat pants and shuffling around the house in slippers 24/7, but western girls have always risen to the challenge of how to look stylish in work wear and they aren’t stopping now!
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Bright colors, flashy prints, and even a little fringe can dress up your everyday wear - and you don’t even need to leave the ranch! Order your Spring 2020 fringe on-line and support some #WesternAgLife gals too a win-win! https://mjleatherdesigns.com
WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 25
I LIVE THE WESTERN LIFEST YLE
Overlay scroll buckle by Beau Compton. PG. 26 :: SPRING 2020
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH SILVERSMITH BEAU COMPTON What is your occupation? I am a western Silversmith, and a member of the TCAA (Traditional Cowboy Arts Association). What’s a typical day for you?
What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job? Being artistic and having the determination to constantly stive to do the best work I possibly can.
I get up at 4:30am, read the bible, sketch/draw then head to the shop to work on a custom silver order. Evenings are dedicated to my family, green horses and roping.
Would you rather live on a farm or a ranch?
What are some causes you care about?
Lying, stealing and a compact car blocking the diesel pump.
As a member of the TCAA, I care about their mission which is to preserve western trades through education in our four disciplines, (saddlemaking, bit & spur making, rawhide braiding and silversmithing). How do you think your colleagues would describe you? I hope they would say that I am creative, that I strive to be my best, and that I run my business with integrity. Who is the greatest love of your life? My wife and kids.
Contact Beau for your custom order: 719-661-4959 or beaucompton@hotmail.com
A Ranch! Tell me three pet peeves?
Which talent would you most like to have?
Custom belt for Zane Compton.
I would love to be able to sing. On Sunday mornings I am... With my family at Christ Community Church in Sierra Vista, Arizona, or at a Junior Rodeo. What make you, #westernaglife? #TCAA #westernsilversmith #ranching #teamroping
Hand sculpted bronc ,“Cool Morning” is made out of a solid piece of silver. Beau added 24k gold for the mane and tail.
Who do you admire? My dad has passed away, but I’m still going to say my dad and my father-inlaw for being hard working and always taking care of their families. Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What did you want to be when you grew up? I was obsessed with team roping. I dreamt of qualifying for the NFR. What publications do you regularly read? The Team Roping Journal, Western Horseman and Table Talk. 2019 TCAA show: Beau Compton with wife Marlo, son Zane, and daughter Macy. WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 27
KILLIAN BEEF CAN WE BUY YOUR BEEF?
ARTICLE BY TIFFANY SELCHOW & PHOTOS BY HAZEL LIGHTS PHOTOGRAPHY
Phil Killian, who is from a long line of ranchers, always thought he’d just be that. A rancher, far from town and other people, surrounded by open spaces, cattle, and a few horses, working hard to raise high-quality beef. As we all know, life has a funny way of taking you down a totally different path than you had planned and that is where Phil currently sits. This is the best kind of business story. One born of demands made by potential consumers. Phil and Jenna, Phil’s wife, often received the same question from their friends: “Can we buy your beef?” After numerous requests, Phil and Jenna decided to make the answer to that question, “yes.” They purchased cattle from their family’s ranch and fixed up the old feed yard that Phil’s great grandfather had built in the 1920s in Mesa, PG. 28 :: SPRING 2020
Arizona. Then, they started feeding those cattle in the middle of town and sold a few sides and quarters. But the story doesn’t stop there. The Killian name is well known in the Mesa area which often brings visitors to their doorsteps. Neighbors started asking about the cattle they were seeing in the feed yard pens which progressed to the question of how they could buy some of the beef from those animals. Of course, most people aren’t interested in buying half of a beef or in getting all the different cuts that come with that process, so Phil and Jenna come up with yet another solution. To fulfill the local customer demand, Killian Beef became a storefront almost four years ago. This coincided with a time
WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 29
when many consumers started asking where their food came from and who was raising it. Instead of finding a place in a shopping mall, they converted a shed into a shop complete with a walk-in freezer which is located about 100 yards from the feed yard pens where the cattle are housed. When asked if this affected customers in a negative way, Phil gave a resounding, “Not at all.” In fact, it sees to have the opposite effect on most. Seeing a cow right outside the door makes them feel even better about eating the beef they just purchased because they can see the quality care given to these animals first-hand. Not only does Phil run the storefront in Mesa, but he also manages the family’s ranches in Willcox and Safford. Wearing these two hats has given him first-hand knowledge of the entire beef lifecycle, which he shares with customers. Every customer has a different question and Phil is happy to answer them all, helping each person to feel comfortable about eating their beef. Phil said he sees many customers asking for trendy products, with one of the most common asking for grass-fed beef. While Killian Beef did cater to that market in the past, Phil made the decision to stop finishing cattle in that style for numerous PG. 30 :: SPRING 2020
reasons related to the current body of scientific evidence. And more often than not, this doesn’t cause customers to walk out the door but to learn more about how beef cattle are raised and feel more comfortable with the entire process. Thanks to the internet, information is plentiful, which gives us the opportunity to see things from many different perspectives. However, the downfall of this unlimited access is the abundance of misconceptions that can arise. The beef community is no stranger to the negative impact of oversharing and under researching. A great way for ranchers and farmers to combat that is by sharing what they do and how they do it in the same places we look to get information. Killian Beef often shares how their cattle are raised on their Facebook and Instagram pages, along with delicious beef recipes and funny videos from the ranch. Not only does this give consumers a look at the rest of the lifecycle of their beef, but also helps them to stay connected and remember to come back and buy more. More often than not, Phil finds he has a much higher demand for his product than he can fulfill. With customers coming from all over the Phoenix valley, even as far as New River,
and regular customers showing back up every week, Phil and Jenna have a goal of raising more beef in this fashion. While the majority of the herd from the family ranch goes into the traditional beef lifecycle and marketing, they see an unmet demand for raising and selling their beef in the style of their storefront. When asked what advantage he has over the beef you buy at the grocery store, Phil makes it quite simple, “A cow out the window.” ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tiffany Selchow, moonlighting as a freelance writer, works for the ranchers of Arizona by educating consumers on the many benefits of including beef in a healthy lifestyle with the Arizona Beef Council. Her horse crazy tendencies began by asking for one on her Christmas list as a young child and took her to Nelson Farms in Tucson, AZ where she rode and showed horses on a national level. That passion evolved and carried her into a life revolving around production agriculture. She lives and has taken up the role of ranch wife on the Quarter Circle U Ranch with her husband, the ranch manager, and their daughter Hayes.
ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER: Carmen McConnel of Hazel Lights Photograph found her passion for photography while working as a farm manager at the University of Arizona. She was inspired by the unique setting of the Campbell farm and the cattle, sheep, and hogs. After receiving her Master’s in Agriculture Education from The University of Arizona, she moved to Surprise, Arizona where she works to hone her craft with a variety of subjects ranging from cattle to babies and landscapes to lovebirds. Follow her on Instagram at hazel_lights_photography.
WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 31
YOUTH:
FFA BLUE & GOLD GALA 4th Annual FFA Blue & Gold Gala Huge Success with Sold Out Event! PRESS RELEASE BY ROCHELL PLANTY, CMP, CFE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
GLENDALE, AZ – The 4th annual Blue & Gold Gala was a sold-out event this year with 600 attendees gathering to support agriculture education and FFA in Arizona! ‘The Biggest Night in Arizona Agriculture,’ presented by Arizona Farm Bureau and Farm Bureau Financial Services. brought together passionate advocates for FFA. The 4th annual Blue & Gold Gala raised more than $257,260 for the Arizona Agricultural Education/FFA Foundation on February 22, 2020 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Scottsdale. Respected Emmy award-wining television personality, Jan D’Atri served as the evening’s emcee. Local members from AAEC Red Mountain FFA, Peoria FFA, and Westwood FFA were
2019 Agriculturalist of the Year award presentation to Jose Bernal by Arizona Association FFA State President, Kevin Berrigan. PG. 32 :: SPRING 2020
an integral part of the entire evening from FFA members assisting with set up and greeting guests to the centerpieces created by Westwood FFA members. The opening entertainment was provided by Danny Walls and Past State FFA Officer John Biship of Canyon Walls Band. The very talented Kaitlin Hacker of Buckeye FFA Chapter performed the National Anthem and the Arizona State FFA Officers presented the official opening ceremonies. As guests entered the ballroom they were amazed by the stunning backdrop of 97 FFA Jackets representing members from across Arizona. Each jacket was sponsored by a generous donor and then distributed the end of the week to an FFA members who applied through the Arizona
FFA Foundation jacket program. A highlight of the evening for the Foundation is to present the Blue & Gold Award. This year the prestigious award was presented by Board Vice President and Gala Chair Heather Rayner to the Otto & Edna Neely Foundation. Kevin Berrigan, State FFA President had the honor on behalf of the Arizona Association FFA to recognize Jose Bernal as the 2019 Agriculturalist of the Year. The Blue & Gold Award recognizes an individual, group or organization that best supports the Foundation, Arizona FFA youth, and agriculture education. The Neely Foundation has made a significant impact on many FFA students over the years through their support of the Arizona FFA Scholarship Program providing several scholarships each year to help further the education of FFA members from the east valley. They have also supported the Arizona State FFA Leadership Camp, Career Development Events and other programs that have furthered the leadership development of members. The Agriculturalist of the Year is given annually to a member of the agriculture community who has a strong spirit of leadership and has made a significant contribution to Arizona agriculture and the community. The State FFA Officers from the Arizona Association FFA make the selection annually from nominations from FFA members across Arizona. Jose Bernal, an outstanding agriculture education teacher and pillar of his community, is the recipient of the 2019 Agriculturalist of the Year. This award is given annually to a member of the agriculture community who has a strong spirit of leadership and has made a significant contribution to Arizona agriculture and the community. Jose has made a tremendous impact in the teaching profession and served as a mentor for more than 40 years to students, student teachers
and others in the industry. He has served as the agriculture education teacher at Pima JTED for the past six years. Another highlight of the evening was the drawing of the FFA Gator Raffle sponsored by Stotz Equipment with the lucky winner being Dennis and Laurel Lindenau. The 5th annual Blue & Gold Gala presented by the Arizona Farm Bureau & Farm Bureau Financial Services will be held February 22, 2020. More details will be shared as they develop at: www. blueandgoldgala.org. ABOUT THE ARIZONA AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION/FFA FOUNDATION: Established in 1985, the Arizona Agricultural Education/FFA Foundation is dedicated to providing expanded educational opportunities for agricultural education and the FFA. It is the vision to secure resources in order to support, enhance, and strengthen the educational and leadership effectiveness of the Arizona Association FFA, the Arizona FFA Alumni Association, the Department of Agricultural Education at The University of Arizona, and the Arizona Agriculture Teachers’ Association while maintaining positive relationships with students, teachers, business and industry representatives, and the community. Visit www.arizonaffafoundation.org.
Pictured Left: 2020 Blue & Gold Award presentation to Cliff Saylor, President of Otto & Edna Neely Foundation presented by Heather Rayner, Foundation Board Vice President and Gala Chair. Pictured Above: Arizona Association FFA State Officers announcing the amount raised.
WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 33
ANIMAL RIGHTS AND ANIMAL WELFARE: WHY WE ARE VIGILANT ARTICLE BY: PATRICK BRAY
Some may be familiar with or may have even earned an “animal husbandry” degree from a major university. This same degree morphed over the years to recognize and include more of the science, ultimately providing students with a degree in what is now Animal Science. Is there a difference in animal husbandry and animal science? For those of us involved in raising animals for food, we understand them as the same and that the degree has simply progressed with time, as has science. Now, take a step back and look at it from a non-scientific view, or from someone who may have no experience with raising livestock. The term “animal science” seems to have unintentionally removed the human aspect from caring for animals, at least in the label. Those of us who work in animal agriculture understand the importance of animal husbandry practices to care for animals and to ultimately provide a safe, quality product for our consumers. From cattle to chickens, the farm animal industry has spent millions of dollars developing animal husbandry practices to create safe environments for both animals and humans while maximizing production with as few resources as possible. All of that sounds very industrial, but for those who live and work on a farm and ranch, you know what I mean. This highlights our challenge: the words we use and their unintentional meanings. Is there a difference between animal rights and animal welfare? It seems they are just as interchangeable as animal husbandry and animal science, but really, welfare and rights are much further apart. Google “animal rights law clinic” and there are no less than 6 major universities, including Harvard, that are teaching students about animal rights under the law and how to further those rights. This is far from animal welfare, which focuses PG. 34 :: SPRING 2020
on the treatment of animals, how we handle and care for them, not what rights they have under the law. However, in the public arena, rights and welfare are often interchangeable, which is a concern for us involved in raising livestock. It is what drives many of us in the policy arena to be extra vigilant when it comes to policies that involve all animals. Very few laws separate pets and food animals when it comes to animal cruelty. I am guessing that many of the readers don’t see the issue with that because those of us who take care of animals also condemn animal abuse so the law probably makes sense. But, every law is open to interpretation and that is why we monitor and take action from the beginning to get the laws right the first time so laws don’t cast a larger net than intended just because a few people in urban areas have hoarded animals. In the most recent Arizona legislative session, a bill was brought forward to outlaw “animal fighting paraphernalia.” Most animal fighting of any type is outlawed in most states, so outlawing paraphernalia doesn’t seem so bad. However, the original draft included a definition that said “paraphernalia” included medical treatment supplies! Yes, the wound coat or penicillin you might have on hand in case of animal injury could be considered “animal fighting paraphernalia.” Some may think this is a far stretch but only a few years ago an individual was charged with cruelty for taking a neighbor’s dog that was harassing his cattle. This charge was dropped, but the fact that anyone has to even go through this process, when the law is clearly on their side, is ridiculous. That is why we must be vigilant with all animal law changes because there will be unintended consequences and overzealous prosecutors who have other intentions outside of
enforcing the law. These intentions do exist, otherwise several major universities would not have animal rights clinics that push this agenda. It is no different than the environmental law litigators we see today whose work has completely destroyed the intent of the National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act. What we are always concerned about is the camel’s nose under the tent. Certainly, agriculture has its work cut out for us to engage in education and to curb animal abuse. We must challenge policy makers to find solutions in other ways rather than making new laws. Passing new laws makes people feel good but rarely do they stop bad actors. I encourage those in animal production to continue to answer the tough questions. Be honest with consumers and explain the science and husbandry behind your practices. If you need more information, direct them to sources that can explain the use of antibiotics, animal handing practices and humane slaughter. While not all parts of our business are meant for children’s books, we should not hide those tough moments. We raise a wholesome product, not only for our own families’ tables, but also for our consumers. Considering recent events around the world, we should also be grateful for our customers who trust in our product. Instead of the knee jerk reaction to be defensive, we should take time to also thank those who continue to support us because there are far more of them and only a few who seek to end the food animal industry. For more information about Arizona Farm & Ranch Group visit: www.azfarmranch.org, follow them on Facebook (Arizona Farm and Ranch Group), or Twitter @AZFarmRanch.
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WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 35
15TH ANNUAL HERSHBERGER HORSE SALE A SUCCESS! Hershberger Performance Horse Sale Company, Jason and Nikki Hershberger, held their 15th Annual Performance Horse Sale Friday, February 28th, at WestWorld in Scottsdale, AZ. The sale kicked off the AZ Sun Country Circuit, the largest AQHA circuit in the West. Horses were previewed on Thursday at 2:00 in a jackpot team roping. The jackpot was won by Alex Carbajal, riding hip # 83 SB Two Eyed Moon and Bode Baize, riding hip # 82 Jake. It was a tough roping and fun to watch! Alex and Bode were awarded 30-30 rifles which were sponsored by Terry Larsen and Southwest Risk Management. Horses were previewed again on Friday at noon. Horses were demonstrated in the events of roping, reining, and cow horse. The sale began at 4:00. A professional staff included: Auctioneer, Joel White, announcer, Jayson Jackson, and bid spotters Stacy Lee, Jody Doescher, Justin Morris, and Spence Kidney. Wyatt Hershberger did a great job announcing the preview. The High-Selling Horse, Wimpys PG. 36 :: SPRING 2020
Shining Jac, a 2010 Palomino gelding, was consigned by Mozaun and Sara McKibben. This pretty rope horse/reiner/ ranch rider is a very cool horse. He sold for $83,000.00 to Billy Brenton from Casper WY. Other top sellers were, MC Sugar Lad at $55,000.00, also consigned by Mozaun and Sara McKibben. Dakota Kirkenschlager was the agent for Ron Thompson on the great horse RY Buckskin Bandit who sold for $49,000.00, Jordan Allyn consignment BQH Baron Eyed Skip commanded the price of $40,000.00. Other top-ten selling horses were consigned by: Brady and Shelby Black, Ryan VonAhn, Phil Tearney, Kelton Hill, Bode Baize, Chad and Paje Turner, and Jace Thomas. The top-ten horses averaged $41,000.00. Jason is always excited to see good horses from the sale go on to be successful with their new owners. We were excited to see the quality of horses that were brought by consignors from all over the US and Canada. The over-all average sale price on the horses sold was $17,044.00. Despite the high average there were some
good buys of really nice horses for under $15,000.00. Thanks to the consignors who brought these quality horses. This year’s lucky buyer was Joe Verhun. Uncle Joe took home the Corriente trophy saddle (sponsored by Western Drilling and The Pump Co./Bill Wood) from the raffle drawing at the end of the sale. Uncle Joe has been attending and buying a horse from our sale since the very first year. A special thank you to Terry Larsen and Southwest Risk Management for the trophy rifles to the High-Volume Buyer, High Seller, and Highest Placing Rope Horse (from the sale) in the American Rope Horse Futurity, the following day. Good food, beautiful Arizona weather, elite equine facility, shopping, and great horses to watch and bid on made this year’s performance horse sale a success. Hershberger Performance Horses would like to thank all that attended. We are grateful to all of our buyers that trust in the quality brought to the Hershberger Performance Horse Sale. For more information please visit: https://hershbergerhorses.com
Welcome to Bimeda! We are pleased to announce the appointment of Tina Riley as a new Equine Sales Representative for the Western Region, effective April 1, 2020. Tina will work closely with our Equine Sales Team and other professionals in the Commercial Department to broaden the customer base, enhance product exposure and strengthen customer communication and relationship through effective and innovative initiatives. She will also collaborate and support the Equine Sales Team by reviewing and planning sales performance and strategies specifically for Equine portfolios from time to time, to ensure alignment of resources and market demands and maximum sales profit. Tina has built a successful animal health career and is a leader in the quine community with diversified experiences. Tina has successfully managed and Equine territory in the Desert Southwest for Boehringer Ingelheim and has a good understanding of distribution having worked for Patterson and MWI. She holds judges’ cards with both NRHA and AQHA along with being a carded steward for NRHA and FEI, bringing and added level of credibility to the job. Tina will base her territory management out of her home in Scottsdale, Az. We look forward to Tina’s contributions to our growth and success. MORE ABOUT TINA: Tina Riley heard the question “New York City?” all her life. Being born in the heart of Manhattan, you would not think she would be a long-time participant and supporter of the world of Agriculture. When Tina was young, her family made a move
from New York City to the Desert Southwest town of Tucson, Arizona—moving provided the opportunity to find her passion for horses. Her first ride was at age three, and at age seven informed her father she wanted to take riding lessons. This was the beginning of lifelong involvement in the horse industry and the beginning of her passion, carrying her into a career in the Equine Pharmaceutical Industry. As the new Western States Equine Territory Manager for Bimeda, Tina will represent an exciting and progressive portfolio of Veterinary Pharmaceutical products. Bimeda® is a leading global manufacturer, marketer, and distributor of animal health products and veterinary pharmaceuticals. Bimeda® US headquarters are based in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois. The Bimeda® US product portfolio focuses on five key categories: ecto- and endo-parasiticides, water-soluble antimicrobials, injectables, and nutritional products. Bimeda® is focused on providing a comprehensive, customer-driven service and selling consistently high-quality products at a marketconscious price level. Tina holds judging cards with the National Reining Horse Association and the American Quarter Horse Association along with being a Steward for the National Reining Horse Association and the Federation Equestrian International. Her passion for the reining horse, in particular, spurred her on to attain her judge’s cards to keep her finger on the pulse of the equine show industry. Being a carded Steward, animal welfare is her top priority, which drives her career in equine pharmaceutical sales to bring the best medicine available to veterinarians. Tina will continue to reside in her beloved Desert Southwest town of Cave Creek, Arizona, to manage her territory.
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CONSERVATION: ARIZONA LAND AND WATER TRUST PROTECTS NEARLY 2,500 ACRES OF HISTORIC BABACOMARI RANCH
“We believe the open space, agriculturally productive rangelands, abundant wildlife and habitat should be improved and never diminished.” -Ben Brophy ARTICLE FROM LIZ PETTERSON
T
ucson, Ariz. — Arizona Land and Water Trust recently partnered with owners of the Babacomari Ranch to permanently protect 2,488 acres of the historic cattle ranch. Conservation of this ranch sustains its rich historical and cultural legacy, preserves habitat for wildlife and ensures the land will remain a working landscape for generations to come. “The Brophy family is determined to maintain the incredibly resource-rich Babacomari Ranch for generations to come,” said Ben Brophy, part-owner of the Babacomari Ranch. “We believe the open space, agriculturally productive rangelands, abundant wildlife and habitat should be improved and never diminished. Our family is grateful for the leadership PG. 40 :: SPRING 2020
of Arizona Land and Water Trust in protecting working ranches and assisting families like ours to meet our stewardship aspirations.” The roughly 28,000-acre Babacomari Ranch is located in the Sonoita region south of Tucson and was established originally through a Mexican Land Grant in 1832. In 1935, Frank Cullen Brophy acquired the property, becoming the third owner of the historic ranch. The ranch has been a family-owned and operated cattle ranch ever since. Babacomari’s exceptionally scenic western landscape includes rolling desert grasslands and woodlands with views of distant mountain ranges in nearly every direction. “We are extremely proud to be partnering with the Brophy family to
honor and secure their longtime heritage in the region and protect the extraordinary landscapes, abundant wildlife, water resources and rich rangelands that are found on the Babacomari Ranch,” said Liz Petterson, Executive Director of the Trust. The ranch is an important wildlife migratory corridor linking the Mustang and Huachuca Mountains. The surrounding landscape is proposed critical habitat for the jaguar and potential habitat for pronghorn antelope, Chiricahua leopard frog and other sensitive species, thanks to the Trust’s larger conservation efforts in the region. The property also includes rare Cienega wetlands and miles of cottonwood-lined riparian ecosystems along the Babocomari Creek, a tributary of the San Pedro River.
Funding for this project was provided by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Agricultural Conservation Easement Program focused on protecting Grasslands of Special Environmental Significance and the Department of Defense’s Readiness Environmental Protection Integration Program. This is the first time these two programs have been combined in Arizona, working toward mutual goals to promote and sustain local agriculture and other compatible land uses in a manner that also protects the military testing and training needs of nearby Fort Huachuca. “This project is a great example of the environmental benefits of our Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, while also supporting our country’s military
readiness,” said Keisha Tatem, NRCS state conservationist for Arizona. “Innovative partnerships and projects like this add a whole new meaning when we talk about protecting the land for future generations.” “I have watched the surrounding area become a patchwork quilt of mish-mash development and growth. Conservation easements are enhancing the landscape and natural wildlife and resources of Southern Arizona by protecting it from rapid development,” explained Anne McChesney Gibson, Brophy family member. A conservation easement is a voluntary restriction on future non-agricultural development. Each easement is individually tailored to meet the needs of the landowner and their goals for
the property. To date, the Trust holds more than 16,600 acres of conservation easements throughout Southern Arizona and has protected more than 53,500 acres since 1978 with our landowner partners. ABOUT: Arizona Land and Water Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to the protection of Southern Arizona’s western landscapes, its heritage of working farms and ranches, wildlife habitat and the water that sustains them. It is accredited by the national Land Trust Alliance and won the Alliance’s National Land Trust Excellence Award in 2016. (To read more about the Babacomari Ranch’s history, visit their website here: https://babacomariranch.com/history) WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 41
o w in g m a r k sfho r d s here
Continued from page 19...One of the constants in Mark’s life has been music. Growing up around live music in the Steak Out helped to create an admiration and respect for musicians that honored the traditional sound of country music. You can hear this today in Midland’s music and is a reason that they are so popular with young and old fans alike. Some of the influences on a young Mark and his musical aspirations are Jim Koweek, Andy Hersey, Freddy Martinez, rocky and Slim Harper among many others. They laid the foundation for the sound that Midland has today. While music industry success has been “surreal and overwhelming”, Mark is looking forward to being a father the most! He married the “only woman who works as hard as PG. 42 :: SPRING 2020
his mother” and you can hear the true love in his voice when he speaks of her. Having a child will help to focus on what’s important. (Editor’s note: Marks daughter was born shortly after the interview took place). Regardless of where his music career takes Mark, he wants to raise his daughter with the same values that he was able to be raised with. Mark has sure made southern Arizona proud and we look forward to cheering him on as he climbs further up the charts with his band! See ya next show! ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dean Fish is the ranch manager for the Santa Fe Ranch Foundation in Southern Arizona and owner of Anchor F Cattle Co. He is also a beef industry consultant and an advocate for youth and agriculture.
BY ROBERT MUCCI
It is estimated that by 2023, there will be 380,000 adults with autism in need of a variety of supportive services. Families of people with autism face an uncertain future not knowing if they will be able to provide a satisfying life for their loved ones. Echoing Hope Ranch and its programs are modeled to make a difference for these families Founded in 2008, Echoing Hope Ranch, located in Hereford, was formed from the experiences and concerns of families, striving to ensure a happy and productive life for their now adolescent loved ones. As a non-profit 501 (c) (3) the ranch was originally leased from the Kolbe family. The ranch was purchase in December of 2018, with funds secured from the United States Department of Agriculture, Community Facilities program. As a mother of an autistic son, Harlie Garcia came to Echoing Hope Ranch after finding her son, staring out a window at the facility where he resided. Much like other parents who now have their family members at the ranch, she did not want this type of life for her son. She and other likeminded parents found that the ranch is a place that is different from other facilities that provided care for autistic individuals. Della Thompson and Eleanor Williams, who also have family members at the
ranch, realized that a farm and ranch environment would provide a home that promoted growth and wellbeing not provided in a city setting. “The residents at the ranch get to be outside interacting with animals and other residents. Contrast that with being in a city, surrounded by concrete and asphalt.” In addition to the residential program, the ranch provides day services for individuals who require support in their daily lives. More important is that these services are provided in a farm and ranch setting with programs and employment for residents that are farm and ranch based. Residents have their own rooms and depending on their level of ability live as independently as possible. Day programs provide activities that promote interaction and behavioral training to promote skill development for participants. The farm program, managed by Lance Linnebur, provides a fully functional farm program. This program, combined with interactions with ranch animals, provides sensory stimulation that is not available at other facilities in Arizona. Participants assist in growing vegetables, gathering eggs from the ranch chickens and selling what they grow at the Sierra Vista Farmers Market. The ranch provides a pastoral setting that gives residents a sense of belonging and purpose as they are involved in daily activities and ranch life. A day in the life of a resident or participant may involve weeding in the garden, working in one of the green houses, taking care of the ranch animals or participating in programs that provide stimulation for autistic individuals. Participants in the day care program share equally with ranch related activities. The goal of the ranch is to get residents and day care participants to interact, both with each other and their surroundings.
Every October, the ranch hosts a Fall Festival highlighting the ranch and its programs. At that time, the ranch is open to the public with vendors, a petting zoo and entertainment. A common comment from visitors is “Wow, we did not know this place existed!” A goal of the ranch is to let more people know that this type of program exists and to get funding to increase the ability of the ranch to increase the number of residential facilities and the day time program. While continuing to grow the agriculture program. If you would like to find out more about the ranch, visit our web site at www.EcohoingHopeRanch.org or plan a visit. The ranch is open on Monday through Friday and visits can be arranged by calling 520-508-2087.
All photos ©Echoing Hope Ranch Staff WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 43
TAYLOR SANTOS’ YOUTH WAS SPENT IN ROPING PENS AND RODEO ARENAS PRESS RELEASE FROM TED HARBIN AND JOEY W. NIEBRUGGE
This is a long three days, but it’s so worth it,” ~ Taylor Santos On March 15, 2020 in Guthrie, Oklahoma Taylor Santos held off Jess Tierney to become 16th man to win CINCH Timed Event crown. When he wasn’t practicing or competing, he was watching it on TV. The family’s pile of video cassettes included years of the CINCH Timed Event Championship, and those images helped fill the young cowboy’s thoughts of being one of the greatest ever. Fast forward to Sunday, when his dreams were realized. He roped, tied and wrestled 25 animals in a cumulative time of 340.4 seconds over just three days to win $103,000 and become just the 16th person in the 36-year history of the CTEC to claim the elusive title. “This is a long three days, but it’s so worth it,” said Santos, 25, of Creston, California. “It was a blast.” Yes, it was. Of course, when one pockets that kind of cash, it’s bound to be more exciting. But there was more to it. The weekend’s festivities featured one of the tightest championships in recent history. Only 30.2 seconds separated first through fifth place, and Santos edged the runner-up – 2017 champion Jess Tierney – by just 7.3 seconds. “Things can go great or they can go the other way, but this weekend went really good,” said Tierney, the rodeo coach at Western Oklahoma State College, who pocketed $29,000. “I’d say that money will fit just right. “I feel like I overcame some things, but I had great help and some great support. There are some things I’d change, but there are some things I wouldn’t change. In anything you do, you can win something or you can learn something, and I think I got to do both this weekend.” This was just an extension of recent first for Santos. In 2019, he qualified for the National Finals Rodeo for the first time in his young career. He finished 10th in the tie-down roping world standings and earned $81,076 in Las Vegas this past December. All the while, he also gained a boatload of confidence, and that carried over into this weekend. Still, he had to overcome some early jitters. “After getting that first steer under my belt, I felt a lot better about things,” Santos PG. 44 :: SPRING 2020
said, referring to Friday afternoon’s first run of the opening round. “You don’t have time to overthink things too much. It’s definitely a battle and definitely a marathon.” This endurance-test included his older brother, Lane Karney, who just completed his fourth CTEC. In his first trip to the Lazy E Arena in 2017, Karney enlisted in Santos’ help. That, too, paid off for the younger sibling, albeit three years later. “Lane and I are two years, two weeks apart in age,” Santos said. “Every day of our lives, we were basically matching each other. “I’ve been on the waiting list the last couple of years. I’m glad I’ve seen it on TV and on the tapes so many times, but that first year I came with Lane, I realized that it’s completely different than what it looked like on the big screen. I got a whole new vision and idea of what the event was. I learned a lot that year.” And it paid off in his first time competing at the “Ironman of ProRodeo.” It’s not often that newcomers walk away with the biggest check at this unique event, but this marks the second straight year that a CTEC rookie earned the crown – a year ago, Georgia cowboy Justin Thigpen won the title, then he missed this year after suffering an injury just two weeks ago. “Taylor is a great kid with an amazing talent,” Tierney said. “Everybody here was such a great talent, and that made for fun watching.” First round: 1. Jordan Ketscher, 65.3 seconds, $3,000; 2. Marcus Theriot, 65.8, $2,000; 3. Roger Nonella, 68.6, $1,000. Second round: 1. Jess Tierney, 58.3 seconds, $3,000; 2. Haven Meged, 59.3, $2,000; 3. Clay Smith, 63.7, $1,000. Third round: 1. Taylor Santos, 56.6 seconds, $3,000; 2. Marcus Theriot, 58.6, $2,000; 3. Seth Hall, 61.8, $1,000. Fourth round: 1. Clay Smith, 53.4 seconds, $3,000; 2. Haven Meged, 65.2, $2,000; 3. Jess Tierney, 66.4, $1,000. Fifth round: 1. Clay Smith, 45.8 seconds, $3,000; 2. Kyle Lockett, 51.2, $2,000; 3. Clayton Hass, 52.8, $1,000. Average: 1. Taylor Santos, 340.4 seconds on 25 runs, $100,000; 2. Jess Tierney, 247.7, $25,000; 3. Seth Hall, 351.5, $15,000; 4. Clay Smith, 360.6, $10,000; 5. Marcus Theriot, 370.6, $7,500; 6. Haven Meged, 395.1, $5,000; 7. Paul David Tierney, 400.4,
$4,500; 8. Jordan Ketscher, 445.7, $3,000. Total money: 1. Taylor Santos, $103,000; 2. Jess Tierney, $29,000; 3. Clay Smith, $17,000; 4. Seth Hall, $16,000; 5. Marcus Theriot, $11,500; 6. Haven Meged, $9,000; 7. Jordan Ketscher, $6,000; 8. Paul David Tierney, $4,500; 9. Roger Nonella and Clayton Hass, $1,000 each.
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ABOUT COMPANY The youngest of 4 children, Jamie Dykstra grew up on a farm in Iowa where his family raised hogs and cattle. He moved to Arizona in 1986 with his parents and began to work with a mechanic while attending high school. Being around equipment in his early years and his continued guidance and work with an experienced service technician showed Dykstra had a natural gift to repair equipment. Jamie, along with his wife Kim, started Dykstra Machinery in 1997. Since then, Dykstra Machinery has grown to over 15 employees. This full service and equipment sales dealership offers several product lines for sale, including parts on hand, and an unbeatable service team to handle your repairs.
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REAL ESTATE: JOHN WAYNE, “THE DUKE” HAD TIES TO STANFIELD ARIZONA 24 acre gentleman’s ranch for sale! ARTICLE BY JIM OLSON 520-705-8868
I
n the late 1950s, American icon John Wayne bought a 4,000-acre cotton farming operation near Stanfield, Arizona on the advice of his financial advisor. In a short time, the famous actor knew he was in trouble. He was losing money in the farming business. His financial advisor, who was running the farm, didn’t know any more about cotton than Wayne did—maybe less. He needed
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to do something about his farm and he needed to do it sooner than later. John Wayne needed to replace his farm management. As fate would have it, when he asked around about who the best in the business might be to help him with his cotton farm, he was put into contact with Louis Johnson, who owned the farm next door. At first Johnson turned down the offer to manage Wayne’s farm, because he
was already busy enough. Later, however, the two men had a long visit and got along wonderfully. At that meeting, “Louie” and “Duke” started a lifelong friendship. A partnership for the ages was born. Over the years the “Red River Land Co.” as it was known was increased to a 14,000-acre operation. The partnership expanded and soon built an 85,000-head cattle-feeding operation known as Red River Feedlot. Other ventures and a ranch near Springerville were added as well. The partnership of John Wayne and Louis Johnson literally made millions of dollars over the years. Both have been quoted as saying they never had a disagreement. Not only were they great business partners, but good friends first. This well-known partnership came to an end when John Wayne died on June 11, 1979. They would probably be partners to this day if the men were both still alive. After Wayne’s death, Red River Land Co. was sold. Famed businessman Karl Eller bought it (the business, property and name) and over the years it was sold off in tracts of between several hundred to thousands of acres. Most of it remains in agriculture production to this day. The last of the original Red River place owned by the Red River Land Co. (which is how Karl Eller bought the property, name and all), was purchased by Jim and Bobbi Jeen Olson and a partner in 2002. As a result of that deal, the Olsons wound up with over 100 adjoining acres. They immediately went to work building a dream place they felt the Duke would approve of. They wanted to build a western show place! The drive way is one of the old dirt runway air strips that was used by crop dusters on the Red River fields. Rumor has it the Duke himself used to land there in a private plane when he wanted to go bird hunting. The place was built with the idea, if John Wayne was to make a modern-
day western here, what would the “Range Boss’s” headquarters look like. Maybe a modern version of what was in Big Jake or McClintock. The headquarters needed to stand out, but still be “country.” And being in Arizona, it needed to be distinctly southwestern. The main home was completed in 2002 and over the years, many other western style improvements that stand out were made. And yes, there have been films, commercials and numerous western themed photo shoots done on the property since. It is likely to believe the Duke would be proud of how a part of his old property was used to help perpetuate the lifestyle he loved so much. Today, the Olsons still have 24 of those original acres and due to changes in their life and business needs, they have reluctantly decided to offer the place for sale. The following is how it is described in a sales brochure: This highly improved property was once a part of John Wayne’s, Red River Ranch. There are 2 homes, shop, lighted arena, irrigated pastures, pipe and rock fencing, mature desert landscaping with super views of Tabletop mountain and numerous other amenities. The main home is 5,000 sq. under roof, which includes covered porches and garage. Of that, there is 2,500 sq. ft. livable with 3 bedrooms (2 large and 1 standard size) with 3 bathrooms. It was custom built in 2002 with many upgrades such as custom cabinets, flooring, extra insulation, wood work and more. There is a full RV hookup next to the main home. The “bunkhouse” was built in 2007 and is 1,150 sq. and consists of 2 bedrooms with one bath, a kitchen and living room and a tack/wash room. It was built to look like a smaller version of the main home and also has the same type of upgrades. There is the ability to hook up an RV next to the bunkhouse. The 24 acre property consists of 10 acres with irrigation rights and 14 acres of
desert with great desert vegetation. There are lots of big trees on the property and the main driveway is tree lined. There are 5 pastures (4 irrigated), a very well lit arena with pipe pens, a covered shop area with separate tool room and the entire property is fenced and cross fenced with various combinations of pipe, no climb wire and rock pillars. Large animals (and most smaller animals such as dogs) cannot leave or enter the property unless you
open a gate. There is 1 owned well and 1 shared well associated with the irrigation rights for the property. Domestic water comes from the irrigation wells and is pumped into a 15,000 gal water storage tank. There is also a class 2 commercial water right in addition to the irrigation rights. Each home has its own electric service, septic system, etc..It is a show place! Contact Jim Olson at 520-705-8868 for more information WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 47
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